Lux: Despite softness in utilization, global biofuels capacity to grow to 61.4 BGY in 2018; driven by novel fuels and feedstocks
31 August 2015
The global biofuels industry averaged 68% in utilization rate from 2005 to 2014, reached a high of 80.9% in 2007, dropped to a low of 56.9% in 2012, and climbed slightly back to 60.4% in 2014. Despite the still apparent softness in capacity utilization, and the on-going softness in fossil fuel prices, global biofuels capacity will continue to grow from 55.1 billion gallons per year (BGY) to 61.4 BGY in 2018, according to a forecast by Lux Research. However, Lux predicts, growth between now and 2018 will not be a continuation of current course.
While ethanol and biodiesel will continue to dominate in absolute terms, these will grow at only a 1.5% CAGR through 2018. Novel fuels and feedstocks will drive the biofuels industry forward at a much more rapid 17% and 22% CAGRs through 2018, respectively.
|
|
Among Lux’s forecasts:
Next-generation biodiesel will lead capacity in 2018 for novel fuels making up 56% (2.7 BGY). With the ongoing “Food vs. Fuel” debate, the use of vegetable oils has been capped in regions such as the EU. Waste oils (corn oil, yellow grease, brown grease, and mixed oils), on the other hand, will emerge as a leading feedstock choice and account for 61% of next-generation biofuels with a 3.0 BGY capacity in 2018. Economically aggregating large quantities of feedstock will remain a major barrier because of decentralized distribution.
Cellulosic ethanol and renewable diesel represent the next largest shares with 19% (904 MGY) and 14% (690 MGY) of total next-generation fuel capacity in 2018, respectively.
China, US, and Brazil lead cellulosic ethanol expansion representing 35%, 27%, and 10% of capacity in 2018, respectively. While commercial-scale cellulosic ethanol became a reality in 2014, feedstock logistics also remain a major barrier for these developers.
Renewable diesel faces numerous barriers as well. While companies like Neste, Renewable Energy Group (REG), and Diamond Green Diesel have shown commercial promise in 2014, they will compete with next-generation biodiesel for the same feedstocks.
Feedstock is a critical factor in both the economics and scale up of biofuels; companies will need to implement innovative supply chain strategies to beat out competitors.
UPM mitigates feedstock risks by tapping into its own tallow oil supply and Diamond Green Diesel secures animal fat through joint venture partner Darling Ingredients. Others sitting on robust feedstocks also have significant power to control where investment in biofuel capacity occurs, but need to think about partnerships sooner rather than later, Lux suggests.
Biojet fuel has seen partnership development across the entire value chain given the relative infancy of the technology, with major airlines already taking a significant interest in developers including announcing test flights, investments, and strategic partnerships. As examples, Cathay Pacific, United Airlines, and Southwest Airlines have entered off-take agreements with their respective developers, locking in significant quantities of biojet fuel for the next 10 years.
Biofuels are still not a field of dreams wherein “if you build it, they will come”, but there are opportunities for growth if the right strategies are derived from accurate data to build capacity that makes sense for the long haul.
—Lux Research
Cellulose to gasoline, jet fuel and diesel can be done now. If we had reasonable taxes, the price floor would allow substitutes for more energy independence.
Posted by: SJC | 31 August 2015 at 07:22 AM